Some think the gender pay gap is explained by the fact that women are more inclined to take career breaks to look after children, while others believe it's because women typically work in lower-paid industries than men. And then there are those that think the reason is simply due to the different character traits commonly exhibited by women.

Employers are likely to offer lower salaries to people who display a lack of confidence, appear overly eager for the job, or fail to negotiate their employment terms. Leading US business magazine, Business Insider, thinks that male colleagues should help women ensure that they are treated equally. Geraldine Healy, professor of employment relations at Queen Mary, University of London, thinks that the existing 40-year-old Equal Pay Act should be "strengthened and simplified" to make it more effective.

These are both valid points but I believe a huge responsibility lies with the education system. University offers young women their first taste of independence and their first serious consideration for their careers. These three to four years at university also present a golden opportunity to learn the skills and character traits needed to make their way up the career ladder.

Confidence – which men arguably possess more of than women – is something that can be instilled, and universities should take a lead on this. Lecturers and university careers advisors need to convince young women that they are good and skilled enough to achieve their career goals. And the best way to convince them is through concrete evidence as to why they will be the best candidate for the job. Universities should connect undergraduates with mentors in the business world; for young female students, this would mean access to inspiring and successful businesswomen. Technology offers an effective means through which to connect student and mentor, and can also be used to hold various online seminars and lectures from external business mentors.

Employability should be at the forefront of the minds of students from the start of their courses; too many undergraduates don't think about their options after university until the second or even third years of their courses. Students must be advised on ways to increase their employability.

There is a wealth of technology available now to help students record evidence of their skills right from the start of their course. Students should capture all such evidence as early as possible so that when they come to apply for work experience or for jobs, they can see how well they match the job criteria. And they can easily provide the necessary evidence to illustrate why they are the best person for the job when they apply.

There are so many easy ways to capture achievements – such as personal feedback from lecturers, work experiences, extra-curricular activity and recommendations – through technology. The Kingston University Award programme, accessible directly via the virtual learning environment, enables students to record extra-curricular activities while indicating activities that will help strengthen their personal profile. The system allows learners to submit proof of their work, so that they can create a personal portfolio, and recognises their achievements.

Of course, this call to action is not specific to women – this action from universities would benefit any graduate stepping into the employment world for the first time – but for women this would be an invaluable confidence boost.

Demetra Katsifli is the senior director of international industry management at Blackboard